Adjustable fence attachment for beds



Dec. 31, 1957 E. o. PRATT 2,817,855

ADJUSTABLE EENCE ATTACHMENT FOR EEDs Filed April s, v1955 sAgneets-sheet 1l j INTOR Edmond @Pfaff ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1957 E. o. PRATT ADJUSTABLE FENCE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8, 1955 INVENTOR 27d/0nd @Pfaff BY j l ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1957 E. o. PRATT 2,817,855

ADJUSTABLE FENCE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS Filed April s.. 1955 s sheets-sheet s AX( za. 7.

INVENTOR Zd'mond 0. Pra if);

ATTORNEY Unite States Patent O f 2,811,855 ADJUSTABLE FENCE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS dinond 0. Pratt, Los Angeles, Calif. Application April s, 195s, serial No. 500,209 s claims. (cis- 331) This invention relates to a fence attachment for beds and has as its primary object the provision of a fence which when applied may readily be adjusted to dispose it vin either an elevated operative position or in a lowered inoperative and out of the way position. y

Another object is to provide a mounting for the fence whereby it may be swung on a vertical plane in its upright position to and from an upwardly extended or elevated operative position in which means are provided for releasably fastening the fence in such position.

yAnother Objectis to provide the fence mounting with an `arrangement of stops or abutments for `limiting lboth upward and downward movement of the fence.

3A yfurther object is to provide a bed rail attachment Jaffording a support for the fence and its mounting `on the side` rails ofa bed frame and which will permit ready removal and replacement of the mounting and fence with- 'out disturbing the bed rail attachment, and wherein the fence fastening means and the movement limiting abut :ments are embodied in the frame mounting apart from the bed-rail attachment.

`,With the foregoing objects in view together with such fotherobjects and advantages as may subsequently appear, `the rinvention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter describedand claimed and illustrated by way of example in theaccompanyingdrawings in which: h

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of the bed fence and its'mounting asapplied to the side rail of a bed frame and lshowing the `fence in its elevated position in full lines and in vits lowered and out of the way position in dotted lines;

p Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section partly in elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 3 is a view in cross section partly in elevation of a bed showing the invention as applied and illustrating in full lines the fence on one side of thebed in its kelevated Vposition and on 'the other side of the bed in its lowered position and depicting in dotted lines the alternate posi- 'tioiis' of the fence;

'Fig'. `4 is a detail in horizontal section and 'plan taken on nthe line 4 4 of Fig. 2 showing kthe'manner of detachablysupporting the fence mounting;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a'fragmentary portion of the fence with one of its mountings as applied to abed 'frame siderail showing the parts in their elevated position 3in full lines and in their lowered position in dotted lines;

Fig. 6 is a detail in horizontal section and plan taken "'on'tlie line 6-'6 of Fig. 5;

Fig 7'is a front view of a modiiied form of the invention 'showing the fence inits elevated position;

M Fig. 8 is a view of the structure sliown in Fig. 7 showing the "fence in its lowered position;

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken on tlieliiie'9"'-'9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a'detail in elevation 4of a fragliiientaryption 2,817,855 atented Dec. 31, 1957 ICC Referring to the drawings more specifically Ai'ndicates generally a bed fence which may be of any Suitable 'construction, being here shown as fabricated of metal tubing and consisting of parallel top and bottom rails 9-10 and an intermediate rail 11, which rails are connected at their ends tomembers 1Z13 preferably formed Ain c'or'itinuation of the top and bottom rails 9-10.

The fence thus formed constitutes a light, rigid, elongated structure which in carrying out the invention is mounted to vextend horizontally in longitudinal parallel relation to the slide rail B of a bed frame and disposed in either an elevated position to projec'tabove'the top surface of a mattress C carried on the bed frame, or'in a lowered position below the plane of the top surface of the mattress, as particularly shown in Fig. 3.

The mounting D-D of the fence shown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive embodies a pair of brackets 14-14 rigidly connected to the fence A and having end portions g projecting below the bottom rail 10, the brackets being here shown as comprising flat bars llongitudinally extended transversely of the rails 9, 10 and 11 and aiiixed thereto as by welding. The fence mounting also embodies a pair of links 15-15 which are hingedly connected to the end portions g of the brackets 14-14 by pivots 16 for swinging movement in the direction of the length of the frame A.

y The adjacentend portions of the brackets y14 and links 15 overlap each other on opposite sides of the pivot 16 when the links are disposed in longitudinal alignment with the projecting end portions g of the brackets, and as a means for releasably fasteningthe links in such alignment at least one of the brackets 14 is tted with a latch E whichembodies a tubular housing a mounted on and projecting from the front of the bracket 14 and extending perpendicular thereto. The latch E also embodies a reeiprocal stem b the inner end of which is fitted with a domed detent c which normally projects beyond the inner face of the bracket 14 under the urge of a spring d bearing between the detent c yand an abutment e in the formof a screw mounted in the wall of the housing A. The detent c is engageable with an aperture f formedin the link 1S at a point on the latter where it will register with the detent c when `the bracket and link are in their longitudinal aligned position as particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The outer end of the stem b is fitted with a head i constituting a iinger hold adapted to be grasped and pulled to effect retraction of the detent c in opposition to the spring d when it is desired to move the detent c out of engagement with the aperture f. As a means for limiting swinging movement of the links 15-15 on'the pivots 16, each of the links 15 is provided with an outwardly projecting stop or abutment 17 arranged below the pivot 16 at one side of the bracket 14 such that one side of the abutment will serve to limit swinging movement of the link 15 to one direction when longitudinally aligned with the bracket 14.

The abutment 17 has an end face h also constituting a stop against which a marginal lportion of the bracket 14 vmay abut to llimitdownward swinging movement of the `'open outer end of a vtubular socket 19 carried bythe bed rail B, Ithe trunnion 18 being slidably supported in the socket 19 to alford a detachable freely moveable pivotal mounting or support for the link 15. As a means -for releasably retaining the trunnion 18 in the socket 19 the latter Cis equipped with-a -spririg pressed detent F corresponding `-iirctlnstructioh-to the detent E.` The detent c of lthe detent F is engageable with a circumferential channel j formed on the trunnion 18 at a point on the latter where it will align with the latch c when the trunnion is in its innermost position in the socket 19.

The socket 19 comprises a cylindrical tube the outer open end of which extends through and is aixed to a supporting plate 20 having an inturned flange 21 on its upper margin, the plate 20, when mounted being positioned against the outer face of the vertical web k of the bed rail B with the flange 21 seating on the horizontal web l of the rail as particularly shown in Fig. 2. The Socket supporting plate Ztl is designed to be removably clamped on the rail B at any suitable point along the length thereof which is accomplished by a clamping plate 22 positioned against the inner face of the web l: with the lower marginal portion thereof projecting be* low the lower margin of the web k and connected to the plate 20 by a pair of bolts m which are passed through the plate 22 from the inner side thereof and screwed into engagement with internally threaded holes n in the plate 20 so as to tightly clamp the plate Ztl- 22 against the opposite sides of the web k. When the plates 20-22 are thus positioned the socket 19 on the plate 20 will extend beneath the side rail B transversely thereof.

As a means for facilitating the mounting of the pair of the sockets 19 on a pair of the side rails B-B so as to be positioned in axial alignment on opposite sides of a bed, the sockets are aixed at their inner end portions to tubes 23-24 in overlying relation thereto which tubes are telescoped with la sliding t as indicated in Fig. 3 and are slidable relative to each other, the tubes 23-24 being thus interconnected to permit of their longitudinal adjustment to enable mounting of the socket members and tube assemblage on bed frame of various widths. lhc above recited mounting of the sockets is set forth 1n a co-pending application Serial No. 460,029, led October 4, l954, on a Guard Attachment for Beds.

The pair of sockets 19 mounted on a bed rail B are spaced apart on the rail a distance equal to the spacing between the axes of the pair of trunnions 18-18 which corresponds to the spacing between the axes of the pivots 16*16. The axes of the trunnions 18 and pivots 16 are correspondingly spaced apart on each of the links 15.

As a means for maintaining the links 15-15 in parallel relation to each other and whereby the fence A will be maintained horizontal during movement thereof, a tie rod 25 is pvotally connected at its ends by pivots 26 to the links 15-15, with the axis of the pivot 26 of each link 1S being spaced from the axis of the trunnion 18 of such link a distance corresponding to the distance between the axis of the pivot and trunnion of the other link. ln order to permit downward movement of the links 15-15 to a downwardly inclined position, the pivots 26 are connected to the outer end portions of extensions 27 projecting laterally from the rear edges of the links 15 as particularly shown in Fig. 5, whereby the tie rod 25 will extend on a plane above the trunnions 18 when the links 15 are in their lowermost downwardly inclined positions determined by the engagement by the brackets 14-14 with the abutments lz.

In the application and operation of the invention, the sockets 19 are aixed to the bed rails B in the manner hereinbefore set forth, whereupon when it is desired to equip the bed with a fence A, the latter with the attached pair of links 15 depending therefrom is applied by inserting the trunnions 18 in the sockets where the detents c of the latches F on the sockets snap into engagement with the grooves j on the trunnions thereby securing the latter in place. The fence A will then be supported in its elevated position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and will be held in such position by the detent c of the latch E on one of the brackets 14 engaging the aperture f in the adjacent link 15. When it is desired to lower the fence A, the latch E is disengaged from the link 15 whereupon the fence is shoved longitudinally in a direction wherein the lower end portion g of the brackets 14 will swing on the pivots 16 away from the stops 17. This movement of the fence swings the links 15 on their trunnions 18 into a position inclined forwardly from the vertical. The weight o'f the fence A will then swing the links 15 downward until the ends h of the stops 17are brought into abutting relation to the lower end portions of the brackets 14 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 thereby bringing the fence A to rest in its lowered position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

To restore the fence A to its elevated position it is lifted and swung rearwardly in the direction of its length, thereby swinging the links 15 upwardly to their vertical positions where they are brought to rest against the stops 17 and are secured in such positions by the latch E snapping into engagement with one of the links 15.

During the movement of the fence in either direction the tie rod 25 will act to sustain the fence horizontally in parallel relation to the bed rail B.

ln the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to ll inclusive wherein the reference characters corresponding to those of the several views in the drawings indicate corresponding elements, the construction and assemblage is such that the tie rod 25 employed in the previously described lconstruction may be dispensed with.

In the structure under consideration, the brackets 14-14 terminate at the bottom rail 10 of the fence A and the upper ends of the links 15-15 are pvotally connected to the lower end portions of the brackets above the rail 1t) by pivots 16 and at least one of the links 15 is extended above the pivot 16 and is formed with an aperture f for the reception of the detent c of the latch E carried on the bracket 14. In this distance the trunnion 18 is engageable in a socket formed by the outer end of the tube 23 which is connected directly to the plate 20 and opens therethrough and the plate 20 is fastened directly to the bed rail B by a bolt 30 as shown in Fig. 9.

In this case, downward swinging movement of the links 15--15 is limited by the ends l1 of the abutments 17 abutting the brackets 14 above the bottom rail 10 of the fence as the links approach the horizontal so that the links will come to rest in an upwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. 8 and as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10, the abutments 17 being arranged to abut the brackets 14 on upward swinging movement of the links to limit such upward movement to an upright position of the links.

A feature of the assemblage above described is that the latch E when disengaged from the aperture f remains seated on the outer face of the link 15 when the latter is in its lowermost position so that on elevating the link to its opstanding position the latch will automatically reengage the aperture f to hold the fence in its uppermost position.

An important feature of the invention which is incident to both forms thereof herein set forth, is the embodiment in the structure of the fence and its mounting links of the fence fastening means E and the abutrnents 17 for limiting swinging movement of the fence, all apart from the bed rail attachment, which, together with the disengageable pivotal connection between the fence carrying links afforded by the trunnions thereon and the telescoping bearing socket on the rail attachment, permits ready intermounting of a single fence assembly on any one of a number of beds equipped with the bearing sockets. In this connection, a highly advantageous feature is that at least one of the rail supporting links may be rigidly interlocked with the frame when the latter is separated from a bed so as not to be free swinging thereby facilitating initial insertion of the trunnion on the rigid link in its socket by one person lifting the fence and eiecting its operative connection with a bed rail.

While specific embodiments of the invention has been shown and described, the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents entrasse of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a fence attachment for beds, an elongated rigid fenice, a pair of brackets rigidly aflixed to said fence, a pair of links pivotally connected to said brackets to depend therefrom, a trunnion on the outer end portion of each of said links, disengagcable means pivotally supporting said trunnions for free turning movement on the side rail of a bed frame on which said links can be swung longitudinally of the rail to and from an upright position to raise and lower said fence, means for limiting swinging movement of said links in one direction to an upright position, releasable means carried by the fence engageable with at least one of the links to retain the links in an upright position, and means for limiting downward movement of said links'.

2. In a fence attachment for beds, an elongated rigid fence, a pair of brackets atlxed to said fence, a pair of links each having an upper end portion pivotally connected to said brackets, a trunnion on the outer end portion of each of said links, means for pivotally supporting said trunnions for free turning movement on the side rail of a bed frame, latch means on one of said brackets releasably engaging the adjacent links to fasten said links in an upright position, and stop means on said links cooperable with said brackets limiting movement of said links in one direction to their upright position.

3. The structure called for in claim 2 together with abutrnents on said links cooperable with said brackets limiting downward movement of links.

4. The structure called for in claim 2 together with lateral extensions on Said links, and a tie rod extending in parallel relation to said bottom rail having its ends pivotally connected to the outer end portions of said extensions.

5. In a fence attachment for beds, an elongated rigid fence including a bottom rail, a pair of brackets aixed to said fence, a pair of links having upper end portions pivotally connected to said brackets adjacent said rail, a trunnion on the outer end portion of each of said links, means for pivotally supporting said trunnions on the side rail of a bed frame on which said links may be swung to and from an upright position, at least one of said links having its upper end portion formed with an aperture, a spring pressed detent on the bracket carrying said last named link arranged for releasable engagement with said aperture to hold said link against swinging movement, said aperture and detent being located for interengagement when the link is in its upright position, stop means for limiting movement of said links in one direction to an upright position supporting said fence in an elevated position, and means for limiting downward movement of said links to a position supporting said fence in 'a lowered position.

6. In a fence attachment for beds, a pair of sockets, means for mounting said sockets on a bed side rail, a pair of links, trunnions on said links mounted in said sockets and freely turnable therein and longitudinally withdrawable therefrom, a circumferetial channel on each of said trunnions, a retractable detent carried on each of said sockets engageable with the channel of the trunnion mounted therein, a fence, brackets fixed on said fence to which the outer ends of said links are pivotally connected and means on said links engageable with said brackets to limit up and down swinging movement of said links, and releasable means carried by the fence engageable with at least one of the links to retain the links in a xed upright position.

7. In a fence attachment for beds, a rigid fence, a pair of brackets fixed on said fence, a pair of links having upper end portions pivotally connected to said brackets, a trunnion on the outer end portion of each of said links, means for pivotally supporting said trunnions on the side rail of a bed frame on which said links can be freely swung to and from an upright position, at least one of said links being formed with an aperture, a latch on the bracket carrying said last named link releasably engageable with said aperture to hold said link against swinging movement; said aperture and latch being located for interengagernent when the link is in its upright position, means on said link cooperating with said bracket for limiting movement of said links in one direction to an upright position supporting said fence in an elevated position, said means on said link also cooperating with said bracket for limiting downward movement of said links to a position supporting said fence in a lowered position.

8. In a fence attachment for beds, a horizontally extending rigid lfence, a pair of upright brackets fixed on said fence, a pair of links having end portions pivotally connected to said brackets; means detachably connecting the other end portions of said links to a bed side rail in pivotal engagement therewith; means on said links cooperating with said brackets limiting swinging movement of said links in either direction, and releasable means carried by the fence engageable with at least one of said links to retain the links in a ixed position relative to said fence.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,009 Cooper Sept. l2, 1916 1,211,527 Berndt Jan. 9, 1917 2,587,291 Des Rochers Feb. 26, 1952 

